NEWS
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- Written by Rebekka Single
Dear supporters,
I want you to know that we are taking the current Corona crisis very serious and are working alongside local authority guidelines to take extra precautions to keep everyone safe.
Our Rainbow House, After-school and Lighthouse programs remain closed and we are doing our best to continue to serve all our children and families. However, the closure of our programs affects them.
Many children and their families have a shortage of food at home. The children usually eat great amounts of food at the Rainbow House because they do not receive enough at home and are much more vulnerable now that the programme is shut. We have therefore increased our food budget and are bringing food to families by leaving bags filled with food outside their homes. We are also in regular telephone contact with our families.
This past week our team has cleaned and disinfected the Rainbow House and will give it a fresh coat of paint next week, ready to receive children when it is safe to do so again. We hope and pray that it won’t be too long.
As so often, in times of crisis, children and the poor suffer immensely. I therefore ask you to stand with us in solidarity and to give a voice to the voiceless and bring kindness to the forgotten ones. Please continue your support over the next weeks and months.
Stay safe!
With love,
Rebekka & team
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- Written by Rebekka Single
On Friday night we lost our precious, little Iuliana to heart failure. Her heart was weak and after battling with severe flu at hospital it couldn’t cope anymore. Our hearts are filled with sadness at the loss of this beautiful girl. Iuliana was a kind and shy girl who had just found a sponsor and was beginning to thrive under our support. She loved going to school and enjoyed learning how to write.
Iuliana told us that the best day of her life was her very first day at school. She wanted to be a teacher when she was grown up. She loved dogs and would have turned 7 next week.
Our thoughts and love are with Iuliana’s family. One day the suffering in this world will end. Jesus will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
On Thursday the community will come together for Iuliana’s funeral. Open Hands, the local mayor, the priest, teacher, social worker and wider family have all come together to contribute to the funeral and celebrate Iuliana’s life.
You will always be in our hearts Iuliana and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to meet you, beautiful girl.
Rest in peace.
With love Rebekka and team
- Details
- Written by Rebekka Single
New – Lighthouse Project
We have begun work in a very impoverished rural community. I went to visit the families and tiny school and can say that around 206 children live on the margins of society. Most of them don’t go to school and suffer from severe poverty and neglect.
Read about this new project in our blog.
- Details
- Written by Rebekka Single
This is Malina. She is 12 years old and goes to the local secondary school. Malina lives with her mother who has metabolic syndrome and learning disabilities and her elderly grandmother who is also ill. The three of them live in one, tiny old room where they cook, live and sleep. The condition of the room is life-threatening because the ceiling is so dilapidated and mouldy that it can collapse at any time. Each rain shower or snow increases the risk. Each time I visit them I am inspired by their kindness, humour and strength. They may be poor but they are a beautiful family with a strong bond of togetherness.
We want to build Malina, her mother and grandmother a small, new house. We have appealed to the local authority to collaborate with us and help with some of the funding. The mayor has responded and assured that he will support us (planning permission, free labourers, etc.).
Registered Charity Number 1136482